Pakistan again violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch

Jammu, May 21: In yet another violation of ceasefire, Pakistani troops targeted Indian posts along Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a retaliation from Indian guards.

There was no death, injury or damage to anyone on the Indian side of the LoC in the exchange of fire that took place last night, a defence spokesperson said. This is the ninth incident of ceasefire violation in the past four weeks along the LoC.

"Pakistani troops resorted to firing from automatic and small arms on Indian posts along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district from 2305 hours late last night," the spokesperson said here today. Troops guarding the borderline retaliated resulting in intermittent exchanges of fire, he said, adding, "firing exchanges continued for a brief period till 2310 hours".

Pakistani troops had on May 16 resorted to firing in the same Krishna Ghati sector. On May 13, Pakistani troops had violated ceasefire in Poonch's KG sector.

On May 11, a ceasefire violation in Krishna Ghati sector was reported. Pakistani troops had resorted to firing on Indian posts along the LoC in Nangi Tekri area of Poonch district from 11.30pm. Eight days earlier, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Bhimber Gali area of Rajouri district and on May 3 in Mendhar in Poonch.

In 2013, 12 jawans were killed and 41 injured in the highest number of ceasefire violations (149) and firing by Pakistani troops on forwards post, civilian areas and patrolling parties along the Indo-Pak border.

Army officials said the ceasefire violations and firing by Pakistan were aimed to help militants infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir from across the border from the "launching pads" along LoC where they are waiting to crossover.

There are also inputs that bids to engineer attacks by Pakistan's "Border Action Team' (BAT) on forward posts and patrolling parties are being planned from across the border, they said.

There has been three attacks and infiltration bids along LoC by militants during past four weeks.

PTI